Chapter 58: Battle of Wits and Bravery!!
When Sang Nian looked closely again, he found that the item hanging in the cage was indeed the object of his transaction —!
It was a bird native to the Tibetan Area, a rare species known as the Red Falcon, characterized by its slender, pointed wings and slightly longer tail, with brick-red feathers covering its back and wings. It was a national second-class protected animal.
He had already paid half the deposit online, and for the safety of both parties' interests, the remaining half was to be traded upon seeing the actual item!
He approached the Red Falcon, looking around at the people who had come to conduct the transaction.
Usually, the sellers of these items would not show themselves, fearing arrest.
Over the years, the tactics of both sides had evolved increasingly.
Sang Nian took out his mobile phone and sent a message to the other party: [I'm here, where are you?]
No response came from the message, but about five minutes later, a figure started walking toward him gradually.
Sang Nian glanced at them and looked away, dismissing it as nothing. But as the person headed straight toward him and looked at him, he was momentarily stunned.
Realizing what was happening, it felt as though ten thousand imaginary grass-mud horses were stampeding through his heart—!
The approaching person was an elderly lady in her eighties, hunched over, dressed simply, and with her full head of silver hair somewhat disheveled.
She walked over slowly and directly asked, "Young man, are you the one buying this item?"
Sang Nian: "..."
He stared at her in disbelief, then scanned the surroundings, feeling utterly betrayed, like it was a total setup!
However, he still managed not to show his emotions too openly, instead eyeing the Red Falcon and rubbing his nose before asking, "Old lady, I came here to buy chicks, not this. Who sent you the message to me? It couldn't possibly be you."
Upon hearing the word "chicks," the old lady's gaze shifted slightly towards a direction, her wrinkled hand trembling as she pointed: "Over there, it's my son."
"Chicks" was their covert code for the transaction. Each wild animal sold had a code.
Upon hearing this, Sang Nian hastily looked in the indicated direction and saw a tall, robust man with a stern look and serious demeanor emerge from the bustling crowd, checking his surroundings meticulously.
As he walked this way, he kept scanning around.
Seeing this, Sang Nian coughed forcefully twice, his fist half-covering his lips!
In an old residential building not far from the bustling area—
Lu Xiao was monitoring, watching this scene, his dark eyes sharp and piercing, fixated on the man.
Finally, he made a gesture, and suddenly, the team members hidden in the crowd sprang into action—!
They were divided into two groups, placed on either side of the busy market, just to catch the sellers.
As the man reached Sang Nian and began speaking, the officers were also swiftly and covertly approaching.
"Still short two thousand, transfer it to this bank account now, and don't include any remarks!"
The tall, strong man coldly handed him a bank card number.
"Okay, give me the name."
Sang Nian acted like an ordinary trader, Han Chinese, showing no sign of anything being amiss.
The strong man stated the name, watching as Sang Nian proceeded with the bank transfer. It was at this moment his vigilance seemed to relax.
He reached into his pocket and took out a cigarette.
However, just as he was about to light it with his lighter, bending his head down—suddenly—